Gor Mahia 1-0 Zoo Kericho: Kenneth Muguna strike sends K'Ogalo top of the table

Kenneth Muguna struck in the 40th minute as Gor Mahia collected their second win in as many matches with a 1-0 victory over Zoo Kericho at Moi Stadium in Kisumu to go top of the SportPesa Premier League on Saturday.

At the SUdi Stadium in Bungoma, Nzoia Sugar held Mathare United to a 0-0 draw as Posta Rangers and Bandari settle to a barren draw at Thika County Stadium. And in Chemelil, Home side Chemelil Sugar battled to a 1-1 draw with Kakamega Homeboyz.

2016 KPL Most Valuable Player with Western Stima, Muguna scored the lone goal for the 15-time champions five minutes to the break to condemn newly promoted Zoo their second defeat of the season.

They had lost with an identical score to Posta Rangers last weekend.

“I can’t fault my players much for the loss. Yes, we are still making a number of  mistakes but again I must say this is a learning process which I hope will offer valuable lessons in our next match,” said Zoo Kericho coach Sammy Okoth in a post match interview. 

He added: “Today we improved in our defending in the second half and that’s the reason our opponents didn’t score.”

His counterpart Marcelo Ferreira refused to speak to journalist.

Zoo were reduced to 10 men after Nixon Amulanda was sent off for fouling Muguna with six minutes left on the clock.

Gor Mahia kicked off the encounter brightly testing goalkeeper Vincent Misikhu twice in the first five minutes.

Timothy Otieno launched the first onslaught from the right flank sending in a dangerous cross that was blocked by Zoo centre back Nixon Amulanda for a corner.

Karim Nizigiyimana took the resultant corner only for Otieno’s goal bound shot to be purred away by Misikhu.

Breakdown in communication between playmaker Francis Kahata and Otieno in the 20th minute denied Gor Mahia another chance to unlock Zoo after the two collided in the air chasing Nizigiyimana’s pin point cross. 

Muguna’s free kick from 21 metres was once more punched over the bar by hawk-eyed Misikhu at the half-hour mark to deny Ferreira’s men the lead.

However, the former Western Stima midfielder made amends to his shooting accuracy when he gave K’Ogalo the opener nine minutes later, sending Gor’s supporters into a frenzy.

Muguna received the ball from Godfrey Walusimbi near the 18-yard box, back-healed it to beat two Zoo players sandwiching him, and without hesitation, sent a powerful low shot past Misikhu for the only goal of the match.

On restart, Zoo tactician Okoth made to substitutions summoning Dominic Ouma and Danson Namasakha for injured Stanlaus Akiya and Martin Oile respectively.

Ferreira on the other hand rested Kahata and Otieno while George Odhiambo and Oliver Maloba were sent in.

The second half was more of a Gor Mahia affair as Jacques Tuyisenge, Walusimbi and Odhiambo all missed the target to extend their lead.

The visitors realistic chance came in the 70th minute when Benard Odhiambo beat captain Musa Mohammed only to fail on the last hurdle with a weak shot that was easily taken by Bonface Oluoch.

Ernest Wendo was then booked for a lunge on Johnstone Ligare in 75th minute.

Zoo were reduced to ten men after Amulanda was send off for fouling Muguna with six minutes left on the clock.